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Objective To investigate the relationship between physical activity and the severity of menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women in northwest China. Methods This was a cross-sectional online survey study. Using a snowball sampling method, 468 women aged 45 to 60 were recruited from northwest China and their demographic information was collected. The modified Kupperman Menopausal Index scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form were used in this study. Random forest was used to rank the importance of variables and select the optimal combination. The direction and relative risk (odds ratio value) of selected variables were further explained with an ordinal logistic regression model. Results The prevalence of menopausal syndromes was 74.8% and more than one-half of the participants had moderate or severe symptoms (54.3%). The Mantel-Haenszel linear-by-linear chi-square test showed a strong and negative correlation between physical activity level and the severity of menopausal symptoms (P P 1, P Conclusions There is a strong negative correlation between physical activity and the severity of menopausal symptoms. The results have a clinical implication that the menopausal symptoms may be improved by the moderate-to-high level physical activity in the lives of middle-aged women.

Adiabatic calorimetry is one of the main experimental methods to quantitatively study the thermal hazard in chemical process. There are two problems in adiabatic calorimetry: (1) identification of the reaction model is difficult; (2) the equilibrium of system and the temperature uniformity of sample will be broken under the rapid temperature rise rate, especially at lower thermal inertia. In this work, the heat-quench-heat method in adiabatic calorimetry was proposed to determine the reaction model and slow the reaction rate to evaluate kinetic parameters accurately. A criterion was proposed to identify the reaction model which states that the decomposition is an n-order reaction if T0,stage1

PCSK9 inhibitors lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and reduce cardiovascular events. The clinical benefits presumably result from favorable effects on atherosclerotic plaques. Lipid-core and plaque inflammation have been recognized as main determinants of risk for plaque rupture and cardiovascular events. Both can be noninvasively assessed with carotid MRI. We studied if PCSK9 inhibition with alirocumab induces regression in lipid-core or plaque inflammation within 6 months as measured by MRI. Patients with non-calcified carotid plaque(s) and baseline LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dl, who were statin-intolerant or taking a low-dose statin (≤ 10 mg per day of atorvastatin or an equivalent), received subcutaneous alirocumab 150 mg every 2 weeks. Carotid MRI was performed at baseline and 6 months after treatment, including pre- and post-contrast images for measuring percent lipid-core volume (%LC) and dynamic contrast-enhanced images for measuring microvessel leakiness (Ktrans), a marker of inflammation. Twenty-eight patients completed the study (69 ± 9 years; 64% male). Alirocumab led to significant changes in LDL-C (p

To detect whether Danlou Tablet (丹蒌片, DLT) regulates the hypoxia-induced factor (HIF)-1 α-angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4) mRNA signaling pathway and explore the role of DLT in treating chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced dyslipidemia and arteriosclerosis. The mature adipocytes were obtained from 3T3-L1 cell culturation and allocated into 8 groups including control groups (Groups 1 and 5, 0.1 mL of cell culture grade water); DLT groups (Groups 2 and 6, 0.1 mL of 1,000 µg/mL DLT submicron powder solution); dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) groups (Groups 3 and 7, DMOG and 0.1 mL of cell culture grade water); DMOG plus DLT groups (Groups 4 and 8, DMOG and 0.1 mL of 1,000 µg/mL DLT submicron powder solution). Groups 1–4 used mature adipocytes and groups 5–8 used HIF-1 α-siRNA lentivirus-transfected mature adipocytes. After 24-h treatment, real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1 α and Angptl4. In animal experiments, the CIH model in ApoE−/− mice was established. Sixteen mice were complete randomly divided into 4 groups including sham group, CIH model group [intermittent hypoxia and normal saline (2 mL/time) gavage once a day]; Angptl4 Ab group [intermittent hypoxia and Angptl4 antibody (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally injected every week]; DLT group [intermittent hypoxia and DLT (250 mg/kg) once a day], 4 mice in each group. After 4-week treatment, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expression levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG). Hematoxylin-eosin and CD68 staining were used to observe the morphological properties of arterial plaques. Angptl4 expression was dependent on HIF-1 α, with a reduction in mRNA expression and no response in protein level to DMOG or DLT treatment in relation to siHIF-1 α -transfected cells. DLT inhibited HIF-1 α and Angptl4 mRNA expression (P

The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) continues to be an attractive alternative for producing a broad range of fuels and chemicals through the conversion of syngas (H2 and CO), which can be derived from various sources, such as coal, natural gas, and biomass. Among iron carbides, Fe2C, as an active phase, has barely been studied due to its thermodynamic instability. Here, we fabricated a series of Fe2C embedded in hollow carbon sphere (HCS) catalysts. By varying the crystallization time, the shell thickness of the HCS was manipulated, which significantly influenced the catalytic performance in the FTS. To investigate the relationship between the geometric structure of the HCS and the physic-chemical properties of Fe species, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, N2 physical adsorption, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy, hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction, Raman spectroscopy, and Mossbauer spectroscopy techniques were employed to characterize the catalysts before and after the reaction. Evidently, a suitable thickness of the carbon layer was beneficial for enhancing the catalytic activity in the FTS due to its high porosity, appropriate electronic environment, and relatively high Fe2C content.

Severe haemorrhagic transformation (HT), a common complication of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) treatment, predicts poor clinical outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke. The search for agents to mitigate this effect includes investigating biomolecules involved in neovascularization. This study examines the role of Cathepsin K (Ctsk) in rtPA-induced HT after focal cerebral ischaemia in mice. After knockout of Ctsk, the gene encoding Ctsk, the outcomes of Ctsk+/+ and Ctsk−/− mice were compared 24 h after rtPA-treated cerebral ischaemia with respect to HT severity, neurological deficits, brain oedema, infarct volume, number of apoptotic neurons and activated microglia/macrophage, blood–brain barrier integrity, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and Akt-mTOR pathway activation. We observed that haemoglobin levels, brain oedema and infarct volume were significantly greater and resulted in more severe neurological deficits in Ctsk−/− than in Ctsk+/+ mice. Consistent with our hypothesis, the number of NeuN-positive neurons was lower and the number of TUNEL-positive apoptotic neurons and activated microglia/macrophage was higher in Ctsk−/− than in Ctsk+/+ mice. Ctsk knockout mice exhibited more severe blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption, with microvascular endothelial cells exhibiting greater VEGF expression and lower ratios of phospo-Akt/Akt and phospo-mTOR/mTOR than in Ctsk+/+ mice. This study is the first to provide molecular insights into Ctsk-regulated HT after cerebral ischaemia, suggesting that Ctsk deficiency may disrupt the BBB via Akt/mTOR/VEGF signalling, resulting in neurological deficits and neuron apoptosis. Ctsk administration has the potential as a novel modality for improving the safety of rtPA treatment following stroke.

Background To explore the relevant factors for early liver transplantation (LT) after Kasai portoenterostomy (KP). Methods Retrospective analysis was performed for 200 children with biliary atresia, who underwent LT with hepatic failure after KP. According to the interval between KP and LT, they were divided into three groups: G1 (≤6-month), G2 (6-month~ 2-year) and G3 (> 2-year). Gender, age of Kasai portoenterostomy, jaundice-clearance, cholangitis after KP and liver function indexes before LT were compared among the three groups. Results The proportion of patients with age of KP (≤90-day) in G1 was lower than that in G3 (P = 0.003). Jaundice-clearance occurred in 6 (7.6%), 26(28.6%) and 26 (86.7%) patients after KP in G1, G2 and G3 respectively (P P = 0.035, 90-day was lower than that of children at operation age ≤ 90-day (P = 0.002). The NLS rate of the children with jaundice-clearance after KP was significantly better than that of the children without jaundice-clearance (P P = 0.026). The NLS rate of patients of G2 and G3 with cholangitis after KP was lower than that in children without cholangitis (P = 0.017). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed uncleared jaundice after KP was a risk factor for the NLS time in patients. Conclusion The age of KP (> 90-day), jaundice-unclear and early cholangitis could reduce the NLS time after KP, which were related to early liver transplantation. Jaundice-unclear was a risk factor for early liver transplantation.

Background Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) often accompanied by admission hyperglycemia, which usually predicts a poor clinical outcomes for non-diabetes mellitus. Appropriate cut-point to identify high risk individuals in these patients remains controversial. Methods One thousand six hundred ninety-eight non-diabetes AMI patients in this retrospective study were divided into 3 groups according to admission glucose levels (euglycemia group≤140 mg/dL, moderate hyperglycemia group 141–179 mg/dL, severe hyperglycemia group≥180 mg/dL). The primary endpoint of this study was all-cause in-hospital mortality rate. In-hospital motality related risk factors was analyzed by multivariate binary logistic regression analyses. Results All myocardial necrosis markers and Log NT-proBNP in severe hyperglycemia group were significantly higher than those in the other 2 groups. Logistic regression showed that independent predictors of the in-hospital mortality rate in non-diabetic patients with AMI were age (OR = 1.057, 95% CI 1.024–1.091, P

The cerebral accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) is one of the key pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ is also found in bodily fluids such as the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. However, the significance of Aβ accumulation in the brain and different bodily pools, as well as its correlation with aging and cerebral amyloid pathology, is not completely understood. To better understand this question, we selected the rhesus monkey, which is phylogenetically and physiologically highly similar to the human, as a model to study. We quantified the levels of the two main Aβ isoforms (Aβ42 and Aβ40) in different sections of the brain (frontal cortex, temporal cortex, and hippocampus) and bodily fluids (CSF and plasma) of rhesus monkeys at different developmental phases (young, 5-9 years of age; mature, 10-19 years of age; and old, 21-24 years of age). We found that the levels of neuronal and insoluble Aβ42 increased significantly in the brain with aging, suggesting that this specific isoform might be directly involved in aging and AD-like pathophysiology. There was no significant change in the Aβ40 level in the brain with aging. In addition, the Aβ42 level, but not the Aβ40 level, in both the CSF and plasma increased with aging. We also identified a positive correlation between Aβ42 in the CSF and plasma and Aβ42 in the brain. Taken collectively, our results indicate that there is an association between Aβ accumulation and age. These results support the increased incidence of AD with aging.

Factors leading to the formation of a hexahydroaporphine-like cyclizing side product were studied systematically for the first time and the ratio of this side product was controlled effectively. To understand better the electronic effect of substrates on the formation of side products, different 1-benzyloctahydroisoquinolines with substituted groups on nitrogen or benzene ring were compared. A plausible mechanism of cyclizing reaction was proposed, and key intermediates as well as transition states were analyzed using DFT calculations.

The effects of temperature and relative humidity on the hydrolytic degradation of poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) were investigated. The hydrolytic degradation behaviors were monitored by tracing the changes of water absorption, mechanical and crystalline properties, molecular weight and its distribution, surface morphologies, as well as infrared absorption peaks and hydrogen chemical shifts during the degradation. It is found that the water absorption increases whilst the intrinsic viscosity, tensile strength and elongation at break decrease as the temperature or relative humidity increases. With degradation time growing, the molecular weight drops and its distribution broadens. The crystallinity of PPDO has a tendency to increase at first and then to decrease, while the crystalline structure is not significantly changed. At the same time, some cracks are observed on the surface and keep growing and deepening. All results show that temperature plays more significant roles than relative humidity during the degradation. The analyses of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveal that the degradation of PPDO is a predominant hydrolysis of ester linkages.

This study sought to determine the multicenter reproducibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the compatibility of different scanner platforms in assessing carotid plaque morphology and composition. A standardized multi-contrast MRI protocol was implemented at 16 imaging sites (GE: 8; Philips: 8). Sixty-eight subjects (61 ± 8 years; 52 males) were dispersedly recruited and scanned twice within 2 weeks on the same magnet. Images were reviewed centrally using a streamlined semiautomatic approach. Quantitative volumetric measurements on plaque morphology (lumen, wall, and outer wall) and plaque tissue composition [lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), calcification, and fibrous tissue] were obtained. Inter-scan reproducibility was summarized using the within-subject standard deviation, coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Good to excellent reproducibility was observed for both morphological (ICC range 0.98-0.99) and compositional (ICC range 0.88-0.96) measurements. Measurement precision was related to the size of structures (CV range 2.5-4.9 % for morphology, 36-44 % for LRNC and calcification). Comparable measurement variability was found between the two platforms on both plaque morphology and tissue composition. In conclusion, good to excellent inter-scan reproducibility of carotid MRI can be achieved in multicenter settings with comparable measurement precision between platforms, which may facilitate future multicenter endeavors that use serial MRI to monitor atherosclerotic plaque progression.

An efficient approach for the synthesis of N-arylated amides was developed via copper(II) triflate-catalyzed direct oxidation of (aryl)methylamines to primary arylamides by air and subsequent N-arylation by diaryliodonium salts. Various substituted benzylamines could be applied in the reaction, providing a series of N-arylated amides in moderate to good yields. This method showed convenient, practical, and environment friendly advantages.

Metabolon-formation governs the biosynthetic efficiency of natural plant products. Identification of membrane-anchored proteins has now led to discovery of the metabolic channelling mechanism of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.

Snow lotus is commonly used as a medicinal plant and has great pharmacological value. To protect these endangered plants, in vitro propagation and cell cultures have been established in order to meet the growing market demand. The phenolic composition, antioxidant activities, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) from three most commonly used species, in vitro propagated lines and the cell cultures were investigated to qualify their pharmacological value. Quantitative analysis showed that the phenolics varied greatly among different species and the same species at different habitats. From this it can be inferred that the phenolics were influenced by genetic background and the environmental conditions. Significant correlations were observed between the antioxidant activity and several phenolics/TPC/TFC, suggesting that the phenolics are a major contributor of the antioxidant activity and are important for quality evaluation of snow lotus. Based on the abundance of phenolics, TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity, the order of the quality for wild species would be Saussurea involucrata > Saussurea medusa > Saussurea gossypiphora. For S. medusa, its quality judged by origin would be Shigatse > Lhasa > Nagqu. For in vitro propagated plants, the matured plants could be a reliable substitute for wild plants, and the dynamics of phenolics is critical for quality control of this monocarpic species. We provide the first report of quality comparison between the wild plants and the cell cultures. The advantages of developing cell cultures as alternatives for plants collected from the wild are discussed.

A low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide detailed information on carotid atherosclerotic plaque size and composition. The purpose of this study was to correlate HDL levels with carotid plaque burden and composition by MRI. Thirty-four patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) receiving simvastatin plus niacin or placebo for both drugs for three years were randomly selected to undergo MRI of carotid arteries. Atherosclerotic plaque wall volumes (WVs) and plaque components including lipid rich/necrotic core (LR/NC), calcium, fibrous tissue, and loose matrix were measured. Mean WV or atherosclerotic burden was significantly associated with total HDL-C levels (r = -0.39, P = 0.02), HDL(2) (r = -0.36, P = 0.03), HDL(3) (r = -0.34, P = 0.04), and LDL/HDL ratio (r = 0.42, P = 0.02). Plaque lipid composition or LR/NC was significantly associated with HDL(3) (r = -0.68, P = 0.02). Patients with low HDL levels (or=35 mg/dL) had increased WV (97 +/- 23 vs. 81 +/- 19 mm(3), P = 0.05) compared with patients with HDL levels35 mg/dL. Among CAD patients, low HDL-C levels were significantly associated with increased carotid atherosclerotic plaque burden and lipid content by MRI.

The aim of this study is to investigate the inter-scan reproducibility of kinetic parameters in atherosclerotic plaque using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in a multi-center setting at 3T. Carotid arteries of 51 subjects from 15 sites were scanned twice within two weeks on 3T scanners using a previously described DCE-CMR protocol. Imaging data with protocol compliance and sufficient image quality were analyzed to generate kinetic parameters of vessel wall, expressed as transfer constant (K trans ) and plasma volume (v p ). The inter-scan reproducibility was evaluated using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV). Power analysis was carried out to provide sample size estimations for future prospective study. Ten (19.6%) subjects were found to suffer from protocol violation, and another 6 (11.8%) had poor image quality (n = 6) in at least one scan. In the 35 (68.6%) subjects with complete data, the ICCs of K trans and v p were 0.65 and 0.28, respectively. The CVs were 25% and 62%, respectively. The ICC and CV for v p improved to 0.73 and 28% in larger lesions with analyzed area larger than 25 mm2. Power analysis based on the measured CV showed that 50 subjects per arm are sufficient to detect a 20% difference in change of K trans over time between treatment arms with 80% power without consideration of the dropout rate. The result of this study indicates that quantitative measurement from DCE-CMR is feasible to detect changes with a relatively modest sample size in a prospective multi-center study despite the limitations. The relative high dropout rate suggested the critical needs for intensive operator training, optimized imaging protocol, and strict quality control in future studies.

Calli cultures derived from the leaves of Saussurea medusa were selected on the basis of colour into three callus, A, B and C, which suggested different levels of metabolite accumulation. An improved reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method provided selective determination of the jaceosidin content of these samples. The jaceosidin concentration in callus B was higher than that of the callus A and C. By using 12-day old culture and 9-day old inoculum, jaceosidin yield of 72.91 mg l(-1)was obtained from cell line B in cell suspension cultures. The influence of some factors affecting jaceosidin formation, i.e. temperature, light, inoculum size, type of media, phytohormones, nitrogen and carbon source etc. were also examined. Light irradiation and combination of 3% (w/v) sucrose with 1% glucose brought about a marked increase of jaceosidin production. The effect of blue light on jaceosidin was markedly superior to other kinds of monochromatic light (red and far-red) or white light. Analysis of growth and jaceosidin content of callus cultures and cell suspension cultures demonstrated that the production of jaceosidin was growth-dependent in both cell solid culture and cell suspension culture.

A time-resolved cross-phase modulation method combined with a modified nonlinear Schrodinger equation is used to study the effects of nonlinear response time on the propagation of ultrashort pulses in nonlinear dispersion media. Evolution of cross-phase modulation spectrum with the different time delay between the probe pulse and pump pulse is simulated using split-step Fourier method. It is shown that both normal self-frequency-shift-red-shift and abnormal self-frequency-shift-blue-shift can occur in the frequency domain for the probe pulse, and a satisfactory theoretical interpretation is given.